Weight Management in Horses – Slow Feeders
Author: Jenifer Nadeau
Jenifer.Nadeau@uconn.edu
Reviewer: Deb Hagsrom, University of Illinois
Publication EXT182 | January 2026
Introduction
Some horses do not require as much feed as others to maintain a healthy weight, and also gain weight quickly. The horse industry terms them ‘easy keepers’ because it does not cost much to maintain them.
To avoid having horses gain too much weight, horse owners may want to consider the use of slow feeders, which regulate the amount of feed available at any given time. This fact sheet examines the various types of slow feeder available, along with the pros and cons associated with them.
Types of Slow Feeders
A slow feeder decreases the amount of forage a horse can get with each bite it takes. Slow feeders come in numerous designs, such as in the form of a hay-net, with smaller openings than a regular hay net, or a feeder that has bars across it with small openings so that the horses cannot get large mouthfuls of hay. A slow feed hay-net may be made from regular netting used in hay-nets or webbing mesh.
Some people have also fashioned their own hard sided slow feeders using rubber tubs. The benefit of these slow feeders is that they enable the horse to graze as it normally would allow it to behave like a horse but reduces calorie consumption. This also reduces boredom for the horse as it takes them much longer to consume a similar quantity of forage.
Pros and Cons
There are pros and cons of each type of feeder. A slow feeder using a regular hay-net style allows the horse to eat using his lips.
Some forms require no hanging but are meant for barefoot horses, since a shod horse could catch its shoe on the material. This style is quick to load and easy to transport.
In the past, there has been some concerns about these types of slow feeders wearing enamel off the teeth, but two recent studies suggest that hay-net type slow feeders do not negatively impact dental health.
Webbing type of slow feeders usually have an opening at the top, which making filling them very easy, but may allow horses to access large amounts of hay quickly. To prevent this, the bag must be hung higher which can result in the horse having to eat with its head in a more unnatural position. Hay also seems to get consumed faster with the webbing than in a hay-net type of slow feeder. It can also wear the enamel off the horse’s teeth if they have to scrape their teeth across the webbing, although as stated above, studies of hay-net type slow feeders have found no negative impacts on dental health.
Hard sided slow feeders can be fashioned in at least two different ways:
- Two rubber sided feed tubs can be used, and you can create holes in the top one;
- Ccover the rubber sided feed tub with a metal grate.
These styles may not slow down the rate of consumption by that much. Also, if the ends of the hay are flattened by being in the tub, the horses cannot get access to the hay.
Filling them is quick but they get heavy, and need to be moved with a wheelbarrow if you want to put them in different locations.
The feeder with holes may wear the enamel off the horse’s teeth. The feeder with the metal grate can cause grooves in the teeth.
Recent Studies
A recent survey with 1,283 responses found that the main reason people used slow feeders were for equine weight reduction, increased feeding time for horses, and weight management. Eighty-five percent of respondents used hay-nets. Less than 10% of the respondents reported any health problems or accidents. More than 65% of those surveyed had been using slow feeders for more than five years.
In a study conducted in 2023, 15 polo horses were divided into three groups. Each group spent:
- 15 days eating hay from a box feeder (an automatic hay box that offered free choice hay for one hour, six times a day, through large square bales placed in the feeder);
- A traditional feeder (elevated V feeder) offering unlimited hay 24/7;
- Unlimited access to hay using a slow feeder net for square hay bales).
Horses fed with the free choice traditional feeder consumed more hay, gained more body weight, and wasted more hay daily. Horses fed with the free choice traditional feeder and the slow feeder spent more than 50% of their time budget foraging, which was similar to grazing horses. Horses fed from the box feeder spent less time eating and more time standing, sniffing the ground, practicing coprophagy (eating manure), and showed the highest aggression.
There was no difference in any of the group’s cortisol circadian rhythms, indicating no increase in stress. Other studies have found that slow feeders did not increase frustration in horses.
Conclusion
It seems that slow feeders can help to reduce weight gain. They should not increase stress or frustration in horses.
It also appears that feeders using netting may be best at slowing consumption.
Resources
Warren M. 2024. How I Chose the Best Slow Feeder for My Horse. https://www.thehaypillow.com/blogs/news/feeding-free-choice-how-i-chose-the-best-slow-feeder?srsltid=AfmBOooRVac3mXEAI8ZSJs6E83LHWFCb9fcjjGoQ8VsZLp6Otsmgmu0b
Roig-Pons M, Bachmann I, Briefer S. 2024. Slowfeeding dispensers for horses: who, how and why? Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4159127/v1
Seabra JC, Hess T, do Vale MM, Spercoski KM, Brooks R, and Dittrich JR. 2023. Effects of different hay feeders, availability of roughage on abnormal behaviors and cortisol circadian rhythm in horses kept in dry lots. J Equine Vet Sci. 130: doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104911
Johnson L, Martinson K, Keener L, DeBoer M. A preliminary study: Effect of hay nets on horse hay usage, dental wear, and dental conditions in mature adult horses. J Equine Vet Sci. 124: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104366
DeBoer M, Keener L, Layeux-Parks J, Schueller O, Johnson L, and Martinson K. 2024. Effect of hay nets on horse bodyweight, body condition score, hay usage, and dental health in mature adult horses. J. Equine Vet Sci. 136: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105051
The information in this document is for educational purposes only. The recommendations contained are based on the best available knowledge at the time of publication. Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. UConn Extension does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which also may be available. The University of Connecticut, UConn Extension, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.